She was already thoroughly familiar with the process of absorbing a soul ring, and this time it had basically no effect on her. After absorbing the soul ring, she opened her eyes and found no one around her, only a barrier formed from powerful Soul Power. Mu Yu was somewhat puzzled. Logically, Bibi Dong should not have left her here alone, right? "There are hundred-thousand-year soul beasts nearby."
Xi Ruo's voice rang out again, startling Mu Yu. She had told Xi Ruo more than once not to suddenly start talking, since he could scare her to death, but that big fish was probably going through a rebellious phase in his youth—or maybe menopause? He simply refused to listen. "Why aren't you saying anything? Don't tell me you're about to say I scared you again?"
Great. Just great! He was even provoking her. Mu Yu felt she could start verbally sanctioning him now. Before she could launch into a tirade, however, a massive collision between pink light and dark purple light caught her attention.
"Human! Don't even think about laying a hand on me or my daughter!" "Heh, a mere soul beast dares to boast so shamelessly?" "Mom!"
The three voices mixed together, leaving her a little dazed, but it was not hard to guess that Bibi Dong had encountered Xiao Wu and her mother. But given Bibi Dong's strength, Xiao Wu and her mother should not have posed much of a threat to her, right? Then Mu Yu immediately realized something was wrong. There were two male voices. "Heh, despicable human, you dare attack Sister Xiao Wu? You're courting death!"
Although Bibi Dong did not think much of the two Soft Bone Rabbits, the sudden appearance of the Sky Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape caught her off guard, and she was even seriously injured. A ruthless glint appeared in her eyes. It seemed that she would have a hard time getting out today... In that case, she might as well perish together with them.
Where neither the soul beasts nor Bibi Dong could see, Mu Yu rushed rapidly toward them. These days, Sister Pope really gave her no peace of mind. As she ran, a short flute that Sea Woman Douluo had once given her appeared in her hand.
Bibi Dong struggled to fend off the attacks of the three soul beasts. At that moment, a burst of flute music drifted over, and the four soul beasts felt an unfamiliar pressure. Bibi Dong looked toward the source of the sound and saw a little girl sitting beside a riverside rock, playing a short flute.
Her pupils shook. Why had this child come here? Why was she not running away...? "Xiao Yu! Run!" she shouted at the girl, but the girl seemed not to hear her and continued playing, even signaling with her eyes for Bibi Dong not to worry. Bibi Dong sighed and collapsed to the ground in exhaustion.
Mu Yu's flute music stopped, and she hurried to Bibi Dong's side, gently supporting her. She had not expected Xiao Wu's mother to suddenly shout with bloodshot eyes, "You have a child too! How can you treat my child so cruelly?!" Bibi Dong seemed to think of something and said nothing. Instead, Mu Yu spoke first. "She isn't my mother. Don't guilt-trip her."
Xiao Wu's mother choked up, while the Sky Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape could not hold back any longer. "Why is Auntie wasting so many words on someone like her?" Xiao Wu's mother seemed to make up her mind as well and charged at Bibi Dong again. The soul rings around Bibi Dong lit up once more as she shielded Mu Yu behind her.
"Enough. Stop fighting." The pressure in that voice was overwhelming. In an instant, the three soul beasts could not take another step forward. Bibi Dong also sensed just how powerful that force was, and it was the power of a soul beast. Despair rose within her. She had not dealt with the ones before her yet, and now another one was coming?
But to her surprise, blue light flowed out from Mu Yu's necklace and gathered into a man with a human body and fish tail. His features were exquisite, his hair pale blue, and he coiled around Mu Yu with arrogant pride.
Bibi Dong was not the only one shocked. So were the four soul beasts. The Sky Azure Bull Python had lost its earlier arrogance and spoke timidly, "May I ask who you are...?"
Xi Ruo could not be bothered to speak to them at first, but for the sake of his Xiao Yu'er, he reluctantly said, "Xi Ruo."
Who among soul beasts had not heard the name of the Mermaid King Xi Ruo? This Mermaid King was the most mysterious existence beneath the sea. Even land soul beasts held him in awe, because he was the only one even the Sea God, a First-level God, dared not provoke. The soul beasts immediately shrank back. "May I ask what brings you here? Sea soul beasts should not interfere in matters on land, should they?" Xiao Wu's mother said respectfully.
"That's right. Sea soul beasts do not interfere in matters on land. Logically speaking, when humans hunt you, I have no right to intervene..." Xiao Wu's mother let out a breath of relief. "But this human is my little darling's friend, so I cannot stay out of it." Xi Ruo revealed a playful smile. It had been a long time since he had teased anyone.
At those words, both Bibi Dong and the soul beasts froze. Little darling? Could it be...? Their gazes all gathered on Mu Yu.
Mu Yu: ...What? Why is everyone looking at me? And what the hell is "little darling"? Xi Ruo, what's gotten into you?!
They all waited for Xi Ruo's next sentence. "Since it was the humans who attacked you first, I'll let you go today. But if you hurt my child..." He did not finish, but the threat was already obvious. They thought the matter was about to end, but Xiao Wu suddenly asked angrily, "You're a soul beast too, so why are you helping humans?" That one sudden sentence nearly scared the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python to death. Xiao Wu's mother hurriedly covered her mouth.
"Heh, why? Because this king is stronger than all of you. This king can do whatever he wants. This king only needs to ensure that his people are not harmed by humans. Just as they said earlier, sea soul beasts have no right to interfere with land soul beasts, don't they?"
No one dared to speak. "And what if I like this little girl? What are you going to do about it? You. Can't. Stop. Me!" After saying that, he looked at Mu Yu as though he was... asking for praise. Mu Yu helplessly gave him a thumbs-up. "Amazing." Xi Ruo nodded smugly, then condensed into blue light and returned to Mu Yu's necklace. "Your Excellency the Pope, let's go." Bibi Dong's gaze toward her was complicated. She seemed to want to say something, but in the end said nothing and merely nodded gently.
After this, the two returned to Spirit Hall. Bibi Dong entered seclusion, publicly claiming that she was recovering from injuries. Mu Yu lay on her bed, bored out of her mind, cultivating again and again. But how exactly was she supposed to cultivate? She could not rely solely on absorbing soul bones, could she? She sighed. Then she suddenly thought of a place—Dugu Bo's Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. But she quickly dismissed the thought. She could not just go ask someone for things for no reason. Then, in a moment of madness, she suddenly thought of another place—Slaughter City.
If she remembered correctly, Slaughter City was where that cheat king had gained a powerful domain, and it had laid the foundation for him to inherit the Asura God's Divine Position. It was not that she particularly coveted the Asura God's Divine Position, but that domain was a good thing. Besides, going to Slaughter City to clear stages and grind monsters sounded exciting, did it not? After all, one could only rely on oneself there. She did not want to be protected by others everywhere either. She was going to start competing! She was going to surpass Tang San! No, she was going to crush Tang San!
Before long, she ran to Qian Daoliu and told him about her grand goal. Qian Daoliu's expression was complicated. "Xiao Yu, you're still too young. Slaughter City may not be suitable for you yet..."
Mu Yu froze. This sounded like he was about to refuse her. "No, Grandpa, I'm very suitable."
"But Xiao Yu, it's very dangerous there."
"No, Grandpa, I'm not afraid."
"Xiao Yu, if you go there, you won't be able to eat delicious food anymore."
"No, Grandpa, I don't want delicious food anymore."
"Xiao Yu, Grandpa is afraid something will happen to you."
"No, Grandpa, you're not afraid."
Qian Daoliu could not win against Mu Yu. "Do you really have to go?" Mu Yu's gaze was resolute. "Yes, Grandpa. I have to go!" Qian Daoliu had no choice but to agree in the end. He said he would escort Mu Yu to Slaughter City, but Mu Yu refused.
Before leaving, the worshippers reluctantly bid Mu Yu farewell. "Grandpas, don't worry. I'll be back within a year!" Just as she was about to leave, Azure Luan Douluo stopped her and placed a short dagger in Mu Yu's hand. "Protect yourself..."
An indescribable sourness suddenly welled up in Mu Yu's heart. It seemed she had never... experienced this kind of family affection before. "Okay, Third Grandpa," she replied, her voice slightly choked. Then she turned and left. She would remember the kindness everyone at Spirit Hall had shown her. She would definitely change their fate of dying. Of course, she would not let any of those who died for Tang San die either.
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